The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) now wants people who want to seek elective positions but have pending corruption cases barred from contesting.
In its National Ethics and Anti Corruption policy session paper 2 which will be launched on Wednesday, the anti-graft body will seek to strengthen and implement Chapter six of the Constitution on leadership and Integrity.
EACC Chairperson Bishop Eliud Wabukala says that using the Chapter, corrupt individuals can’t be allowed to seek elective and public posts.
Wabukala further also revealed that the paper has outlined 7 strategies to be incorporated in the fight against corruption going forward.
They include prevention of corruption as well as public education and awareness to enlighten Kenyans.
Wabukala says they will also focus on law enforcement by strengthening the legal framework.
“Many people want people to want those facing corruption cases jailed but we want to instill in people the need to be good people too, we want to Re-engineer the fight against corruption,” He said.
He said corruption cases are dragging in court not because there is not sufficient evidence but because the legal framework is weak.
Those who have benefited from corrupt deals will also be on the receiving end, with the Commission saying it will give priority to asset recovery.
Wabukala says when people steal they invest the proceeds, “We will come for those assets without fear or favor.”
He said the commission will also review its international cooperation to provide a road map to recover proceeds of corruption hidden in foreign countries.
The Chairman said the policy paper underscores the importance of our national values and how we can have a value-driven society as a way of preventing corruption and enhancing our governance system.
He said EACC has made great strides in the fight against corruption in the last few years, pointing out that the World Bank even agrees that ease of doing business in Kenya has improved.
Statistics indicate that EACC has recovered assets worth Ksh 19.9B in the last five years, and averted the loss of public funds worth approximately Ksh 96b in the last 10 years.
